Chapter Text
Draco Malfoy hated surprises.
Not because he disliked them. Merlin knew he adored giving them. No, Draco hated surprises because they required patience, precision, and the unbearable risk of something going horribly wrong.
And tonight had too many opportunities for disaster.
“You’ve checked the flowers six times.”
Draco didn’t look away from the floating candles circling the rooftop garden above their London apartment building. “Seven.”
Theo Nott snorted from where he lounged across one of the velvet chairs. “That somehow makes it worse.”
The rooftop looked perfect.
Silver fairy lights drifted through the evening air like stars caught in slow motion. A long table sat beneath an enchanted canopy charmed to resemble the night sky over Hogwarts. Soft instrumental music hummed quietly from hidden speakers. White roses lined the edges of the rooftop, their petals glowing faintly under moonlight.
At the center of the table sat Harry’s cake.
Simple.
Chocolate.
Covered in tiny golden snitches.
Because despite being the Savior of the Wizarding World, Harry Potter still had the taste preferences of a fourteen-year-old.
Draco adjusted one of the candles.
Again.
“You’re nervous,” Pansy said from beside the wine cart, looking entirely too entertained.
“I’m not nervous.”
“You ironed your sleeves.”
“I always iron my sleeves.”
“Liar,” Blaise said immediately.
Draco glared at all three of them.
Theo sat up slightly, eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. “Wait. You’re actually doing it tonight?”
Silence.
Then all three of them stared at Draco in horror.
“Oh my God,” Pansy whispered dramatically. “He’s proposing.”
Draco nearly dropped the wine glass in his hand. “Keep your voice down.”
Blaise burst into laughter. “You’re unbelievable. Malfoy, you once said romance was manipulative social theater.”
“And then Potter happened,” Theo added smugly.
Draco sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Could the three of you please act like functioning adults for one evening?”
“No,” they answered together.
Traitors.
Draco slipped a hand into his coat pocket, fingers brushing against the velvet ring box hidden inside.
Warm gold.
Emerald accents.
Elegant without being overwhelming.
Harry would love it.
Or he’d cry.
Possibly both.
Draco smiled faintly at the thought before quickly schooling his expression again.
“You’re gone for him,” Pansy said softly this time.
Draco glanced toward the city skyline. “Obviously.”
The teasing faded after that.
Because everyone knew.
Everyone had watched this impossible thing happen slowly over years.
Draco and Harry stumbling from reluctant allies into cautious friends. Friends becoming something softer. Something terrifying. Something permanent.
After the war, Harry had looked at Draco like he deserved another chance.
Draco never really recovered from that.
A sharp crack echoed across the rooftop as another apparition arrived.
Ron Weasley immediately frowned. “Why is this place fancier than my wedding?”
Hermione appeared beside him carrying several wrapped gifts while Ginny followed with Teddy perched on her hip.
“Uncle Harry!” Teddy yelled happily.
Draco checked his watch. “He’s still not here?”
Hermione sighed. “Kingsley needed him for an emergency briefing.”
“On his birthday?” Pansy scoffed.
“Auror department,” Ron muttered darkly. “They’d work him through his own funeral.”
Draco’s jaw tightened slightly.
He knew Harry loved his work. Harry liked helping people. Protecting them. But lately the Ministry had been pushing him too hard again. Long nights. Dangerous assignments. Endless paperwork.
Harry deserved one peaceful evening.
Just one.
Another loud crack interrupted the conversation.
Harry stumbled onto the rooftop looking exhausted.
His tie hung loose around his neck, dark curls windswept from apparition, glasses slightly crooked. There was ink smudged along his wrist and his coat looked hastily thrown on.
He looked unfairly beautiful.
The moment Harry spotted everyone waiting, his tired expression melted into stunned disbelief.
“Oh.”
Teddy launched himself at Harry instantly.
Harry barely caught him before laughing breathlessly. “Hello to you too.”
“Happy birthday!” Teddy shouted.
The rooftop erupted into greetings all at once.
Harry blinked around at everyone before his eyes landed on Draco.
Everything else softened.
It always did.
“You did all this?” Harry asked quietly.
Draco crossed his arms. “Don’t sound so shocked, Potter. I’m capable of basic effort.”
Harry smiled slowly.
Draco felt his heart immediately betray him.
Hopeless.
Absolutely hopeless.
Dinner passed easier than Draco expected.
There was laughter, ridiculous stories from Auror training, Theo and Pansy arguing over wine quality, Teddy accidentally turning Ron’s drink neon pink, and Harry smiling more than Draco had seen in weeks.
Draco memorized every second.
The candlelight across Harry’s face.
The way his hand kept brushing against Draco’s under the table.
The quiet look Harry gave him whenever he thought nobody was paying attention.
Mine, Draco thought before immediately correcting himself.
Not mine.
Just… loved.
Deeply.
By midnight, the others finally began leaving one by one.
Hermione hugged Harry tightly before narrowing her eyes at Draco knowingly.
Draco pretended not to notice.
Ron smirked openly. “Good luck tonight, mate.”
Harry frowned immediately. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” everyone answered far too quickly.
Harry looked suspicious.
Draco grabbed his coat before Harry could interrogate them further.
“Come on,” Draco said smoothly.
Harry narrowed his eyes. “You’re plotting.”
“Always.”
Twenty minutes later, Harry found himself thoroughly blindfolded while Draco guided him carefully through another apparition point.
“Draco Lucius Malfoy,” Harry complained immediately, hands reaching out blindly, “where are you taking me?”
Draco smirked despite himself as he steadied Harry by the waist.
“Calm down, Chosen One. We’re almost there. Besides, you know it’s a secret.”
Harry pouted instantly.
Even after all these years, Draco still found that unfairly adorable.
“You’re not gonna give me any clues, are you?” Harry pleaded.
“Not a chance, my Lion.”
Harry’s cheeks flushed pink beneath the blindfold.
“Draco…”
The way Harry said his name always sounded dangerously close to affection and worship all at once.
Draco leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss against Harry’s cheek.
“Careful,” he murmured. “You’ll ruin the surprise.”
Harry huffed dramatically. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“Obviously.”
Draco guided Harry forward carefully.
The rooftop above the old building had taken him weeks to prepare. Magical lanterns floated overhead in shimmering silver and green. Enchanted lilies opened and closed softly beneath moonlight. A charmed ceiling of stars stretched overhead while the city glittered endlessly below them.
And in the center sat the final surprise.
A snowy owl perched calmly beside the table.
Beautiful white feathers.
Bright intelligent eyes.
Small enough to still look young.
The owl tilted its head curiously the moment they approached.
Draco stopped walking.
His pulse suddenly hammered painfully against his ribs.
Ring box.
Owl.
Candles.
Perfect moment.
Merlin, he might actually faint.
Harry shifted slightly beneath the blindfold. “Draco?”
Draco exhaled slowly.
“Are you ready?”
Harry nodded.
Draco carefully untied the blindfold and slipped it away.
For a moment, Harry just stared.
The wind moved softly through his curls as the lights reflected in his green eyes. His expression slowly shifted from confusion to complete awe.
“It’s beautiful…”
Draco watched Harry instead of the decorations.
Always Harry.
The owl gave a soft chirp.
Harry blinked in surprise before slowly stepping closer. “Wait…”
The snowy owl hopped onto the table elegantly.
Harry’s breath caught.
“She looks like…”
“I know,” Draco said quietly.
For the first time that evening, Harry looked genuinely speechless.
The owl gently nudged Harry’s hand.
Harry immediately melted.
“Oh, no,” Draco muttered under his breath. “I’ve lost him already.”
Harry laughed softly while stroking the owl’s feathers. “Draco…”
“I may have mentioned once that you missed having an owl.”
“You bought me a snowy owl.”
“You make it sound unreasonable.”
Harry looked close to tears now.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
“What’s her name?” Harry whispered.
Draco hesitated slightly before answering.
“Holly.”
Harry went completely silent.
Then suddenly he turned and wrapped both arms around Draco hard enough to nearly knock the air from him.
“You absolute idiot,” Harry whispered shakily against his shoulder.
Draco smiled softly, resting his chin against Harry’s hair.
“Yes, but I’m your idiot.”
Harry laughed weakly into his coat while Holly flapped her wings happily nearby.
And for one perfect moment beneath the stars, everything felt safe.
Draco reached slowly toward his pocket.
Toward the ring.
Toward the future he wanted so badly.
Then the rooftop lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Harry froze in Draco’s arms.
The temperature dropped sharply.
And somewhere beneath the city, something ancient woke up.